Descriptive Writing Rules - SCHOOLinSITES



Descriptive Writing Rules

By definition a Descriptive Writing is the clear description of people, places, objects, or events using appropriate details. Words should be selected to describe vividly what the writer sees, hears, smells, touches, and tastes. In other words write in sensory details.

Effective descriptive writing turns the page into a window. It creates a mood and makes the reader see, hear, smell, touch or taste the experience along with the writer. It makes the reader believe “you are there” in the writing.

Descriptive writings often start with a memory or an observation—something that catches the reader’s attention. Asking yourself questions an s you begin to write can guide you into a complete and thorough description. How does that feel? What did I smell? What noise did I hear? All these can help with the sensory details.

Include vivid action verbs, adverbs, adjectives, and figurative language. Do less story telling and more describing. The following are tips to improve your word choice.

Instead of a general noun like dog….use a specific noun like beagle or the name Rover.

Instead of a pale verb like walk, use a vivid verb like hike, tramp, stroll, or amble.

Instead of a vague adjective like thin, use one that will paint a picture like bony, lanky, or gangly.

Write in the order you might draw or paint the picture. You might select top to bottom, bottom to top, left to right, near to far, morning to night, etc. Have a plan and follow it logically for success.

Use transition words to show how the details in a description are related. Some transitions are as follows: over, under, beside, above, around, nearby, overhead, in back of, in front of, to the left of, to the right of, just to name a few.

A descriptive writing prompt will usually have the word “Describe” in it.

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